The motivation for the recall is the belief that Sheriff Wowak has not enforced the county's moratorium against the installation of so-called "smart meters."

Recall supporters

Josh Hart, the founder of StopSmartMeters.org, was a leader in the recall effort. He said, "We don't think we will have any trouble collecting the signatures, but we don't relish the idea of recalling the sheriff. If the sheriff wants to do his job and enforce the law, and stop PG&E from installing illegally ... that is what we would like to see happen."[1]

Path to the ballot

Recall organizers needed to collect about 14,000 signatures within 140 days in order to qualify the recall election for the ballot.[1] February 21st, 2012, was the deadline for signature submission. The deadline passed without any signatures being turned in.[2]